The funny name of the tomato variety describes the oblong fruits quite well. How to plant and care for the Andean squirrel tomato in the garden, read our article.
The bottle tomato 'Andean squirrel' is world-famous and a popular outdoor tomato because of its vigorous growth and aromatic taste. We present the unusually shaped tomato to you in the profile.
contents
- Andean Squirrel: Wanted Poster
- Origin and history of the tomato
- Description and taste of the tomato variety ‘Andean Squirrel’
- Planting and caring for Andean squirrels: This is important to note
- Harvesting and using Andean squirrel tomatoes
Andean Squirrel: Wanted Poster
| synonyms | 'Cornue des Andes', 'Red Bull's Horn', 'Andean Horn' |
| fruit | beef tomato; deep red |
| the taste | fruity, sweet, aromatic |
| maturing time | late |
| growth | Stick tomato, up to 2 m |
| location | sheltered open ground, pot |
Origin and history of the tomato
The 'Andean squirrel' originally comes from the Peruvian Andes, where it was grown by local farmers and self-sufficient people. It came to Europe via France, which probably also coined its synonymous name 'Cornue des Andes' (French for "Andean horn"). In Germany it is also known as the 'Red Bull's Horn'. The 'Andean squirrel' is probably a very old variety that is now enjoying global popularity.
Description and taste of the tomato variety ‘Andean Squirrel’
The plants of the 'Andean Squirrel' variety grow slender and reach a height of about two meters. The foliage is strikingly dark green. The tomatoes of the 'Andean Squirrel' ripen late, from the end of August the bushes are full of fruit. The oblong fruits, reminiscent of pointed peppers, turn deep red when ripe. They reach a length of up to 15 centimeters and weigh about 300 grams. You can harvest the 'Andean squirrel' until the end of the season at the beginning of November. Fruits that are not yet ripe ripen well indoors. The taste of the Andean squirrel tomato is fruity, sweet and aromatic. Inside there is a noticeable amount of pulp, little juice and seeds. This makes it an ideal processing tomato, similar to the variety 'San Marzano'. The 'Andean squirrel' is firm to seeds. Therefore you can of this variety Get tomato seeds and sow them again next year.
Planting and caring for Andean squirrels: This is important to note
The 'Andean squirrel' is a robust outdoor tomato that likes it warm. Therefore, it prefers a sheltered location with lots of sun, optionally in a large pot. From mid-May, the 'Cornue des Andes' is allowed to move outdoors. For keeping in the bucket, you should use potting soil suitable for tomatoes, such as ours Plantura tomato and vegetable soil, choose. It already contains all the essential nutrients that the young Andean squirrel tomatoes need for healthy growth and their typical dark green leaf colour. The plants should sit deep in the pot, removing leaves that are too deep. After planting, watering should be done so that the delicate roots get good contact with the new substrate.
In the pot and as outdoor tomato the large-growing Andean squirrel tomato needs good support. Twisted metal rods or thin wooden sticks are ideal for this. The 'Andean squirrel' does not require any special care, but it does benefit from a protective layer of mulch in the bed. As Properly mulch and water the tomatoes, you can find out in our special article. This saves a lot of water and supports soil life. The 'Andean squirrel' forms quite large fruits - so it is best to train them with just one shoot. At the Cutting out tomatoes you should pay attention to fruit size and plant growth and then remove excess side shoots from the leaf axils.
From June the 'Andean squirrels' get a real growth spurt, form leaves, flowers and finally fruit. For this, the plum tomatoes need a lot of nutrients and so a first fertilization is recommended. With a primarily organic long-term fertilizer like ours Plantura organic tomato fertilizer, provide your plants with a balanced and long-term supply of all important minerals. The nutrients are released slowly, protecting soil life and plant roots while at the same time ensuring vigorous green tomato plants.
Harvesting and using Andean squirrel tomatoes
The little juicy fruits of the Andean squirrel tomato are particularly good for sauces and ketchup. By drying the sliced fruit you can create a delicious supply of sun fruit for the cold season. But of course the Andean squirrel tomato also tastes fresh from the plant, as a handy snack with a meal or in tomato salads.
Is the tomato harvest huge this year and you don't know what to do with all the fruit? We provide you with recipes and methods for that Drying and preservation of tomatoesin front.
